How to Grow Basil in Sunlight

Basil is an aromatic herb that is used in a variety of dishes such as raw salads, pasta recipes, tomato sauces and sandwiches. Growing the plant on your own is convenient and it also allows you to know first-hand the conditions that the basil was grown in. Growing your basil in UV light is simply growing it outside with the UV rays from the sun. It is a relatively easy plant to grow and harvest and it is even easier to grow when it is outdoors.

Things You Will Need

Soil

Small shovel

Compost

Mulch

Step 1

Prepare the soil for the basil by digging over the soil, removing the weeds and watering the day before planting the seeds. Make sure the preparation site is positioned with shelter from the wind. The basil should receive between six and eight hours of sunlight per day.

Step 2

Mix compost into the soil one month before you plan to sow the seeds. Basil likes soil that is moist, aerated and fertile.

Step 3

Sow the basil seeds 1 inch into the soil in late March. The basil should not be exposed to the frosts of spring.

Step 4

Thin out the row of basil once the seeds have grown six leaves. Make sure that the basil is planted 6 to 12 inches apart.

Step 5

Add organic mulch around the basil to prevent weeds from growing and to help with moisture retention.

Step 6

Water the base of the basil once per week. The basil plant is drought-resistant once it has been established, so as long as the soil is moist, the basil is in good condition.

Step 7

Remove any flowers that form on the herb. This will help preserve the flavor of the basil.

Step 8

Harvest the top leaves first and take a few from each plant. Once dried, basil can be stored for up to 12 months in an air-tight container.